Sciatica

Sciatica is a medical condition where here is pressure to the sciatic nerve resulting in symptoms mentioned below. The sciatic nerve is one of the longest nerves in the body, which originates in the lower back and travels along he buttock, back of thigh, leg upto he foot. 

Symptoms
Pain radiating from lower back to the buttock, back of the leg, upto the feet. The pain is usually sharp shooting pain which aggravated by sneezing, coughing, and sitting for long. I can be accompanied by numbness, weakness and rarely bladder and bowel symptoms.

Causes

• Disc degeneration/Spondylosis
• Prolapsed inervertebral disc
• Lumbar canal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Vertebral compression fracture.
• Other minor causes like diabetes, postural abnormalities, smoking and others

Diagnosis

1. 1. Clinical examination
   2. X-ray of the spine
   3. CT or MRI scan of lumbar spine

Treatment
Most cases of sciatica require anti-inflammatory, analgesics, muscle relaxants. Physiotherapy and spinal injections might be requires for recurrent and persistent cases. Spine surgery may be considered if the symptoms persist despite non-surgical treatment.

Consult your doctor if you have any queries regarding sciatica. Your doctor is a reliable source to answer all your questions and help you understand the condition better.